Hey guys, since Larry mentioned interest in trading up for Jackson I wrote a little bit about my impressions of Luke's game for those that don't know much about him. Of course none of this will really matter if we draft someone else, but in the meantime it's here if you are interested.

Nice right up. Yer hired. Of course here at PD we pay in stock options. But I'm sure that they'll be worth a fortune someday.

LAPacer

06-23-2004, 01:24 PM

Is Luke better than Fred?

Hicks

06-23-2004, 01:25 PM

Is Luke better than Fred?

It sure sounds like he is on the offensive side, but defensively Fred sounds far superiour.

Arcadian

06-23-2004, 01:54 PM

I'd be happier about Luke Jackson if Larry hadn't made his comment about White Superstars. If we draft him part of me will believe we got him because he's white.

Hicks

06-23-2004, 02:02 PM

I'd be happier about Luke Jackson if Larry hadn't made his comment about White Superstars. If we draft him part of me will believe we got him because he's white.

As long as whomever we pick is good, I don't care why we posted him (at least not a lot).

Booger

06-23-2004, 03:11 PM

The following regarding Luke Jackson comes from Chad Ford's mock draft which is in progress on ESPN. He has Luke going #8 to the Raptors...

Chad Ford
"This guy has moved up more than anyone else in the draft. The Raptors love him and word out of Toronto is that they'll take him if he's there. Still, it could be a smokescreen. With so many teams trying to move up in the draft to get Jackson, saying that you want him suddenly makes you the team everyone has to deal with in trade discussions."

Some Fartknocker from Chicago
"Why has Luke Jackson skyrocketed in what seems like a week?"

Chad Ford
"Because he's really, really good. He might not end up at Toronto, but Jackson is hot right now. He's a big-time scorer and one of the toughest kids in the draft. He's the ultimate gym rat."

Personally, I didn't know much about ol' Luke Jackson before this week. Based on what I've read about him just this week, I'd be willing to gamble and trade Al to move up and grab him, if he's available.

Further, I don't think Bird is bluffing or smokescreening when he talks about this kid. I fully expect the Pacers to try to use Al to move up in the draft to get Jackson. He should be able to fill a need right away.

Hicks

06-23-2004, 03:17 PM

Chad Ford
"Because he's really, really good. He might not end up at Toronto, but Jackson is hot right now. He's a big-time scorer and one of the toughest kids in the draft. He's the ultimate gym rat."

Kstat has repeatedly told me he's soft and if you play him physical you'll beat him.

So who's right?

Booger

06-23-2004, 03:21 PM

Chad Ford
"Because he's really, really good. He might not end up at Toronto, but Jackson is hot right now. He's a big-time scorer and one of the toughest kids in the draft. He's the ultimate gym rat."

Kstat has repeatedly told me he's soft and if you play him physical you'll beat him.

So who's right?

Maybe Ford's speaking of mental toughness? Don't know, but I respect Kstat's views as well as Ford's. Probably just a difference of opinion.

Hicks

06-23-2004, 03:25 PM

Probably just a difference of opinion.

That would be my guess too.

Hoop

06-23-2004, 03:36 PM

Watching the ESPN.com mock draft live right now.

Booger

06-23-2004, 03:40 PM

Yep, Pacers are about 4 picks away. Of course, ESPN has assumed everything stays status quo which is unlikely to happen.

Booger

06-23-2004, 03:49 PM

Ford seems to think we'll pick Delonte West, who we could move to point guard as he's quicker and has a better shot than Tinsley.

Hoop

06-23-2004, 04:01 PM

Delonte West
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Position: Guard

GP MIN/G PTS/G REB/G AST/G FG %
27 - 32.8 - 18.9 - 5.5 - 4.8 - .519

NBA Comparison: Cuttino Mobley

Strengths: Intelligent player equipped with excellent court awareness Plays the game with composure and is an adept decision maker Possess a quick first step to take opposing guards off the dribble Unlike many young players his mid-range shooting is excellent Solid rebounder despite playing in the backcourt Has legit three point range on his jumper Creative scorer who has numerous ways to generate offense depending on how the defense plays him Solid passer with above average court vision Excellent shooter off the dribble and when off balance Defensively he does a good job of putting pressure on his man and using his quickness to go for the steal Excellent free throw shooter Explosive scorer who can take over a game Although not a physical player he has developed a surprisingly proficient post up game Due to being such a balanced player, West will be effective in any teams offensive sets whether its a fast break or half court offense Moves well without the ball

Weakness: Although a shooting guard in college his height has caused most teams to question where hell play in the NBA At 6-3 with shoes he may be too small to play shooting guard and lacks freakishness to make up for it, or experience at point guard Doesnt really do a good job of drawing fouls from opposing defenders Defensively he needs to improve upon his intensity Height will make him a post up target liability when having to guard opposing 2's Upper body strength could stand to be improved upon Not a bad ball handler but t needs to work on his ball protection as he is prone to turnovers No one would call him a freak athletically, although he can throw down some strong dunks Can at times get too comfortable with shooting from the perimeter instead of driving into the lane

Suaveness

06-23-2004, 04:02 PM

Sounds pretty nice.

MagicRat

06-23-2004, 04:03 PM

Delonte West
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Position: Guard

Sounds like a taller Travis Best?......

Suaveness

06-23-2004, 04:07 PM

Delonte West
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Position: Guard

Sounds like a taller Travis Best?......

Best and West RHYME :o

Hoop

06-23-2004, 04:07 PM

Delonte West
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Position: Guard

Sounds like a taller Travis Best?......

He looks a lot like Prince.

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/headshots/delonte-west-hd.jpg

Suaveness

06-23-2004, 04:07 PM

Delonte West
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Position: Guard

Sounds like a taller Travis Best?......

He looks a lot like Prince.

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/headshots/delonte-west-hd.jpg

He really does :o

Kegboy

06-23-2004, 05:06 PM

The following regarding Luke Jackson comes from Chad Ford's mock draft which is in progress on ESPN. He has Luke going #8 to the Raptors...

Chad Ford
"This guy has moved up more than anyone else in the draft. The Raptors love him and word out of Toronto is that they'll take him if he's there. Still, it could be a smokescreen. With so many teams trying to move up in the draft to get Jackson, saying that you want him suddenly makes you the team everyone has to deal with in trade discussions."

Some Fartknocker from Chicago
"Why has Luke Jackson skyrocketed in what seems like a week?"

Chad Ford
"Because he's really, really good. He might not end up at Toronto, but Jackson is hot right now. He's a big-time scorer and one of the toughest kids in the draft. He's the ultimate gym rat."

I think this is a definite smokescreen. They've got huge, glaring, monumentous holes at point and pivot, and they're gonna go with a shooter? I know they don't have a GM or anything, but that's just plain loco.

Kegboy

06-23-2004, 05:08 PM

Reading through the mock, if Livingston were to somehow fall to #6, Billy Knight would be doing cartwheels. :cool:

I'm familiar with West with him having played at St.Joes. Hes going to be a nice pick late in the 1st round/early 2nd for the team that grabs him. His offensive game is very similiar to Jalen Rose; a very smart player, terrific free throw shooter especially in clutch situations, a good defender and a good ballhandler/passer. He has poise you usually don't see with young players as he doesn't force things he lets the game come to him. Many people in Philly feel that West has a chance of being a better pro then Jameer Nelson and there were plenty of games this past season where he performed better then Jameer especially in their tournament run. I wouldn't be surprised to see Detroit try to trade up in the 2nd round and grab him; Larry Brown always talked highly of him and hes a Larry Brown type of player.

bread

06-23-2004, 06:42 PM

I don't know about Delonte West. When he first arrived at St. Joes he was a MAJOR headcase. Additionally, playing alongside Jameer Nelson, he really did not have to create his own shot that much. Also, I think the fact that he's a southpaw helped him out a great deal in college. I don't think he will surprise opponents in the NBA with being a lefty.

Nick

06-23-2004, 08:25 PM

Is Luke better than Fred?

Based on their season seasons in college, I would take Luke over Freddie. Freddie is much more athletic, but he wasn't the defender that he is now. That's something he worked on during his rookie year. Both guys can score, but Luke was much more consistant. Freddie has speed on Luke, but he tended to disappear in games, and Luke always showed up. Both have good attitudes and work ethics, but I think Luke is probably the harder worker of the two.

Nick

06-23-2004, 08:37 PM

Chad Ford
"Because he's really, really good. He might not end up at Toronto, but Jackson is hot right now. He's a big-time scorer and one of the toughest kids in the draft. He's the ultimate gym rat."

Kstat has repeatedly told me he's soft and if you play him physical you'll beat him.

So who's right?

I'm not sure why Kstat thinks he's soft, but I certainly have never gotten that impression. The guy is a competitor. I've never seen him shy away from being physical in the 4 years I've been there. Much of his game involves creating contact while going up into his shot. Maybe he means defensively, but again I don't know about that. He's not a bad defender, he's just not known as much of a stopper. But neither was Freddie coming out of here.